Nikolai Shpakov

Danznik is unique in that it genuinely feels like a place that could be your own for however long your feet are on the dance floor! The owner Nikolai and all of the staff are very pleasant, and I hope to keep dancing in this queer-friendly, professional, and fun space. Highly recommend the Borough Ball events!

Danznik Studios offers first-class teachers. I avidly pursue Pro/Am lessons & competitions with Nikolai Shpakov and Tatiana Banko. They give much thought into what I need to do to continue growing. I have seen this kind of detail and dance teaching from all the teachers who work at the studio. The same is true of all their group classes. If you are pursuing social dancing or want a group setting to enhance your individual growth, you will find these group classes a real a real plus. The studio itself is clean, bright, and has a superb floor on which to dance. See you there!

I have been a student and Pro-Am Competitor at Danznik Studios for almost 5 years and am thrilled with my experience there. The owner, Nikolai Shpakov, has created an environment where an amateur such as myself can dance with, and learn from, highly accomplished and expertly trained ballroom professionals in a supportive and congenial environment. (It is not uncommon, for example, for Danznik students to show up at competitions as spectators so as to cheer on other competing Danznik students.) Students have the opportunity to compete in many different styles, including International Latin, Standard, American Smooth and American Rhythm in both national and international competitions. The studio itself, which was recently renovated, is the most spacious I’ve seen in Westchester and is kept immaculately clean. In addition to my lessons with my professional, as a Pro-Am student at Danznik, I have the opportunity to participate in Danznik’s weekly rounds where Pro-Am couples can practice their dances in heats with a DJ to mimic a competition environment. I also have access to top-notch coaches both on staff at Danzik and from the outside, who have taken my dancing to the next level. In sum, as a Pro-Am student with a total of 10 years of ballroom dance experience and almost 50 competitions under my belt, I could not ask for a better studio to call my “dance home.”

I've been coming to Danznik to Sunday rounds to practice my dance routines, and it's been such an amazing experience. Nikolai is always welcoming, and he created a great atmosphere with friendly and supportive vibe for all dancers. I've also met so many wonderful dance friends here, and the sense of community and support is truly special here! Whether you're preparing for a comp, or just looking to refine your skills - it's a great place to train and grow :)

This is a high level studio! I have been training sll my life and with other studios like Dancesport and You should be dancing, Pierre Dulaine, and others. I have startted again after years becsuse I have been so inspired by these people. My whole life has changed because i believe again. Super teachers like Anton, Tatiana, Nikolai,Sonia ...you will not meet better and their encouragement has meant everything to me! New York ! Try this studio!

Danznik Studios has been an incredible partner in launching and growing our Flow Fridays West Coast Swing social, helping establish it as one of the country's largest WCS social nights. It is important to us to build a social dance experience where first-timers feel comfortable, and the ambiance and layout of Danznik Studios plays a huge role in that. Thank you John & Nikolai!

This is a friendly, warm, welcoming studio. Multiple ballrooms. Clean, well kept and organized. Sunday morning rounds with live DJ are a great chance to practice and improve on your dance.

What a great dancing experience! The instructor Josie for beginner's salsa is amazing, kind, warm and encouraging, as well as patient and informative. Eddie taught me my very first salsa class and helped me to properly learn the foundation steps and was very informative and knowledgeable in knowing many other dance styles. Nikolai helped me register for the first class and was very kind, warm, friendly and accommodating. I felt very welcomed. I would highly recommend this dance studio to others! They also teach other styles of dance such as bachata, tango, swing dancing and more!

We love this studio! Is the best studio in Manhattan in our opinion! 🙏❤️ It’s so welcoming, thank you Nikolai & John for letting us work with you. And the whole team! Lola, Liza in the past as well! Such a great atmosphere!

I absolutely love Danznik Studios. I’ve been dancing at the Hawthorne location for years. What keeps me coming back? The beautiful, huge dance floor kept in pristine condition. The wide selection of dance styles offered, which includes ballroom and Latin, social club dance styles, and Argentine Tango. The top level dance teachers, who nurture both beginning and advanced students, as well as top ProAm competitors. But what keeps me coming back most of all is the kind, caring attitude of owner Nikolai Shpakov and his staff. They work to create an atmosphere where every dancer is supported, and each student progresses at his or her own pace.

Danznik is easily the most remarkable dance space/studio I have EVER worked in and with. The studio physical space is large, gorgeous, is kept spotless and well-managed. There is space free for private lessons whenever the studio is open, even when the entire studio is rented out! They have to run a business but are incredibly accommodating to their teachers, to clients rehearsing, and to private instructors. It is remarkably and truly an inclusive, supportive family. Flexible, they make things work whenever there is any issue. The staff is supportive, positive, and a quite literally a joy to work with. The management and owners are accessible, friendly, and deftly adapt to the ever changing market while continuing to offer core courses and support (to all us OGs) Thank you, Nikolai and John.

Every time I walk around this place, I see things I only dreamed of. The energy Nikolai has carefully curated makes every dance better. Thank you for all the amazing things you think of.. from the easy to use sound systems to all the fresh flowers!

We took lessons at Danznik for our May 2022 wedding with Nikolai and it was an amazing experience! From the start, the whole Danznik team were so friendly and welcoming. Neither my husband nor I had any dancing experience, but we knew we wanted a dance to impress our family and friends at our wedding. Nikolai started with the basics for us - learning the basic box and steps. This was super helpful, and we left the first lesson surprised at how much we learned. Through our other 5 lessons, Nikolai choreographed the perfect dance for us. Simple and easy to remember, but with a handful of WOW moments with dips and ending with a lift! We had so much fun learning our dance with Nikolai. My husband didn’t know if he wanted to take lessons at the start, but it ended up being his favorite part of our wedding! We are so glad we went with Danznik and Nikolai to learn our first dance & highly recommend to all couples getting married!

Nikolai is an excellent teacher for both adults and children.